Letter to the Editor: Evangelical Lutheran Church Applauds SCOTUS Decision on Gay Marriage

To the Editor:

“In proclaiming the reign of God, Jesus did his best to break down the walls that divide in order to include more and more persons in God’s loving embrace. We, in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, seek to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

So, in the spirit of Jesus, we applaud the court’s decision. We will continue to embrace all of God’s children as they seek to have their loving relationships blessed by people of good faith.”

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, to which the Metropolitan New York Synod belongs, adopted a consequential social statement on the matter of marriage equality in 2009. Provided here are, in my opinion, the most relevant excerpts from that Social Statement.

“This church regards the family as an indispensable social institution because of its role in establishing conditions of trust and protection for the vulnerable….In this country and in our congregations, families are formed in many ways. All families have responsibility for the tasks of providing safety, shielding intimacy, and developing trustworthy relationships. Lutherans take great care to support whatever creates and sustains families as a foundation and support of trust” – On Family.

“Although at this time this church lacks consensus on this matter, it encourages all people to live out their faith in the local and global community of the baptized with profound respect for the conscience-bound belief of the neighbor.” – On Society.

“As we live together with disagreement, the people in this church will continue to accompany one another in study, prayer, discernment, pastoral care, and mutual respect.” – On Disagreement.

“A healthy sense of sexuality is related to having healthy body image. This church teaches that caring for the body and following the practices that lead to physical and emotional wellness are part of the stewardship of created goodness.” – On Sexuality.

“This church believes that the deepest longing for a sense of personal worth, long-term companionship, and profound security, especially given the human propensity to sin, are best served through binding commitment, legal protections, and the public accountability of marriage, especially where the couple is surrounded by the prayers of the community and the promises of God.” – On Legality.

Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands,” the Metropolitan New York Synod (MNYS) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) covers 190 congregations in all five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley. ELCA churches emphasize faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. Its roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.

To learn more visit: www.mnys.org orwww.facebook.com/mnyselca.

– Bishop Robert Alan Rimbo, Metropolitan New York Synod